Human Resources > Work Experience > Work Experience Policy
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Revised Date: 15 September 2014
Policy
Kyeema Support Services Inc. (Kyeema) believes pre vocational training/work experience should be a meaningful reflection of the individual’s abilities and interests. Participants will experience a large variety of work related programs to encourage informed decisions about work, and possible jobs / careers.
Aim
To provide a series of programs, responding to the pre-vocational / work experience needs interests, abilities of the participants.
Objectives
While receiving training at employment sites, each participant will develop skills for employment and learn appropriate work and social behaviours through interaction with co-workers.
Participants will gain experience in variety of work settings.
A work experience plan will be developed. The plan will list types of work experience sought, goals and provide timelines. The plan will also include the participants’ interests and information relevant to work experience and the work environments listed in the plan.
A review of the work experience will take place to determine future options.
Participants will gain training in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
Method
People involved in the Kyeema Work Experience program must follow the following steps:
1. Applications:
A verbal request is made to Key worker or manager. The applicant to fill in an application form
2. Interview:
The applicant to meet with manager and work experience support worker. The applicants carer / advocate may attend at the invitation of the applicant.
The interview will discuss the function and process of the work experience program. Expectations from both parties will be clarified. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss in detail any information relevant to the person’s application for work experience.
3. Process Application:
A check of any work history, previous placement etc. may be undertaken (with applicants’ permission) by the manager to confirm suitability.
An investigation of available placements will be undertaken by the work experience support worker.
The applicant will be kept informed of all outcomes.
If no placements are currently available the applicant will be placed on a waiting list.
Once a suitable placement is found the process recommences as per below.
4. Medical:
Successful applicants for work experience and voluntary work will be required to complete a Pre-existing Injury Declaration Form for the purpose of documenting whether there is any pre-existing injury or condition that may prevent the person from safely undertaking the required work.
The presence of pre-existing injury does not necessarily mean the applicant cannot do the work experience of voluntary work as, where practicable, tasks may be adapted.
At the discretion of the area manager an applicant may be requested to undertake a medical with their nominated doctor. This will be to recognise the ability of a person to the work environment. Payment for the medical, where bulk billing is not available, will be the responsibility of the applicant.
Pre-existing Declaration - Work Experience & Voluntary Work HRF-28
5. Negotiate Site:
The work experience support worker will negotiate a work site as per the participants work experience plan.
6. Letter of Notification:
The work experience support worker will write to the applicant detailing the work type and work conditions as negotiated with the work-site supervisor. Details will include time-lines, hours of work, duties, breaks, responsibilities (both parties), dress, start and finish date, transport, review dates. An Induction sheet from the site will be attached; if available.
7. Induction:
An induction to the site and duties etc. will be held, prior to commencing Work experience placement (carer / advocate may attend at invitation of participant).
8. 1st Review:
A review of the placement will be held within 2 weeks of commencing. The review will involve work experience support worker, support worker from the site or site manager / employer, carer / advocate (at participants invitation).
The review will explore the appropriateness of the placement and address any matters related to the placement.
9. 2nd Review:
The second review will be held mid way through the placement and may take place as a phone conference.
10. Final Review / Closure:
The final review will take place in the last week of the placement. It will be a ‘face to face’ meeting of the parties involved. A written assessment by the work experience support worker and / or the site support worker will be available for discussion.
The review meeting will explore the “where to from here” options. Individual Support Plans (IPP) recommendations will be made.
11. Certificate:
All applicants will be provided with a certificate of completion.
General
•Work experience will be paid at $10.00 per day as both an incentive and to ensure inclusion in Workcover insurance.
•Protective clothing will be provided as deemed appropriate and occupational health and safety matters strictly adhered to.
•Some work experience programs may also lead to transitional programs. The work experience will be required to run for the agreed duration. New arrangements, such as transitional programs will be discussed at the program review.
•IPP meetings for people currently involved in Kyeema programs will be used to establish interest and type of work for work experience. Referrals may be made for work experience as a result of IPP meeting, but the application process remains the same.
•Participants will be encouraged in decision making, and acceptance and tolerance towards co-workers and rights of others to make choices: pre-
•Employment social skills training.
•Part time work experience options will be considered. Full day is the desired outcome – allowing better understanding of commitment and stamina required for employment.
Factors to consider
•Environmental (work site and social) factors must be considered when preparing a work experience plan and during reviews. Difficulties experienced by participants may be ‘environmental’ rather than task specific.
•The participant’s history e.g. no experience / understanding of ‘work’ must be taken into account when developing work experience plan.
•Ergonomics (the location of objects, work situation, set up etc.) workstation location (windows, doors, fellow workers, distractions etc.), job rotation (boredom), are matters that may influence a work experience outcome.